The Association of Central Oklahoma Governments (ACOG) announces a Call for Projects for the Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality Program (CMAQ). Approximately $350,000 in funds are available.

Applications may be submitted as early as October 5. The deadline for all applications is November 30. Contracts will be awarded on or before January 25.

According to Eric Pollard, Central Oklahoma Clean Cities Manager, ACOG developed a Public Fleet Conversion Grants program in 2009, in response to tightening air quality standards and the prospect of EPA non-attainment designation in Central Oklahoma. “Alternative fuels and vehicles, as well as advanced vehicle technologies, continue to be viable fleet strategies to mitigate vehicle emissions and the volume of fuel consumed,” he said.

ACOG CLEAN AIR Grants for Public Sector Fleets

ACOG issues the annual Call for Projects under its “Creating Long-term Energy Alternatives Now by Advancing Improvements Regionally” (CLEAN AIR) Grants program for alternative fuel and advanced technology vehicle projects in the Oklahoma City Area Regional Transportation Study (OCARTS) area. Eligible applicants are currently restricted to OCARTS-member governments, certain public trusts and public authorities providing essential services to OCARTS-member governments, member entity public transit fleets, and to public school fleets whose district boundaries are contained partially or wholly within the OCARTS area.

Projects funded with Federal Highway Administration CMAQ funds must provide a reduction in vehicle/mobile equipment emissions, and cannot increase the number of vehicles or rolling stock in applicant fleets. Other eligible projects may include:

• Alternative fuel vehicle refueling and recharging infrastructure
• Certain off-road vehicle/mobile equipment projects that reduce emissions compared to conventional fuel counterparts.

The grant funding also allows Oklahoma City Area Regional Transportation Study (OCARTS) Transportation Management Area member local governments and other eligible entities to utilize Congestion Mitigation Air Quality (CMAQ) funds for fleet conversions to clean fuel technologies to include:

• Light duty, medium duty and heavy duty alternative fuel vehicles
• Hybrid and plug-in hybrid vehicles
• Alternative fuel vehicle refueling infrastructure

To date, ACOG’s Public Fleet Conversion Grants program has awarded more than $3 million in Congestion Mitigation Air Quality (CMAQ) funds to help OCARTS member entities and OCARTS area public entities purchase clean-fuel and clean-emission fleet vehicles, and alternative fueling infrastructure.

Guidelines

Please note the following guidelines for this round of funding and other documents required for applications submittal.

2019 Clean Air Public Fleet Grant Guidelines Book
Equipment Retirement & Replacement Tables
Section 10 – Project Assurances and Resolutions
Section 9 – Vehicle Budget
Section 7 – Vehicle Retirement & Replacement Tables
Section 6 – Station Budget